I'm still here

Hi friends! Yes, I'm still here and will be back to writing very soon.

Miss you,

xx

Some more stuff for your ears' enjoyment

The debut album for Visitors Den comes out on May 25.. just in time for the summer. I've heard the entire thing already (lucky me), and the songs are perfect  for driving down PCH with the windows down, for riding your bike with your hair tangled from the wind, for mellow nights with friends & some beers.. It's really great, and I promise that I'm not just saying that because he's my boyfriend.. ;)

Go take a listen to some songs on his SoundCloud before the album drops, and be excited!

new music makes me happy

Fiona Apple, it's been much too long (7 years, actually) since we've heard a peep out of you. I cannot wait until The Idler Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipping Cords will serve you more than Ropes will ever do. comes out on 19 June!


I am in love with this song and hopefully can go to your show at the Hollywood Palladium in July!

Norah Jones, when I found out that you collaborated with Danger Mouse on your new album, I was ecstatic! Not that you're not good on your own, but I knew that it meant for a more upbeat album. And I previewed it on her site, and it's pretty damn good. I gotta go pick it up ASAP. 


See you at Outside Lands, Norah!

you fit me better than my favorite sweater

I will love you 'til the end of time.


p.s. dreaming of Palm Springs after watching this.

Need to Read: Wild

"And then there was the real live, truly doing it."

Wild, a memoir of one woman's journey through the Pacific Crest Trail, came to my attention after picking up this month's Vogue. It is described as a mix between Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray Love and Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild. 

I read an excerpt from the book in the magazine, which can also be found here on Vogue's website. It doesn't come out until March 20, but I can't wait to have it downloaded onto my Kindle & let the adventures begin. 

TED talks: A Great Story

I think that I've always loved to tell stories. I was an only child until I was 8 years old, when my little brother was born. So for those first 8 years of my life, I had to be creative about how I'd keep myself entertained and not bug my mom every 10 minutes with my whining, "I'm boooooreedddd." (Her response? "Hi, Board, I'm nail! It'd drive me crazy).

I have memories of talking to myself, playing House and Store, and eventually having some imaginary friends. I remember after I saw Harriet the Spy I pulled out my raincoat and notebook and tried to spy on my neighbors in the adjacent apartment buildings.

I came across this TED talk from their Facebook page.. and while the speaker, Andrew Stanton seems to be promoting his new film, it does relate to great story-telling. As a person who wants to write and tell stories to make a living, I found this to be very inspirational and helpful in my endeavor! Watch & let me know what you think.

the legendary miss britney spears

OK, this video is borderline creepy, but with all of the love that I have for Britney Spears, I had to post it. Say what you want about her, but I've always got her back!

Virtual Vacation to... Palm Springs, CA

on the way to Palm Springs

 Let's take a drive, shall we? It will only take us two hours! How about we go to one of my most favorite places to vacation, Palm Springs. The hot, dry desert feels so good on my skin which is used to the ocean breeze and moisture (rough life, huh?). 

Pack your bags with your best bathing suits, sunglasses, and a good book or two... don't forget the sunscreen & Maui Babe for the best tan..

via Arielle

via Arielle

Of course, we'll stay at my favorite hotel, The Ace! (But, I've been hearing great things about the Viceroy & Alcazar, too).

via Arielle

We'll raid the mini bar, it will be too hard to resist when they make it look so nice like this. I think a Tanqueray & tonic with lime will be perfect by the pool in the day, and at night while we gaze at the clear, star-filled skies in the hot tub.

via Arielle

via Arielle

Feeling the warmth of your skin during dinner & the tan lines that accumulate are the best. 

 

via

We'll sit by the firepits outside of our room while we keep the vinyls spinning... We'll order cocktails with cucumber & mint while we snack on chips & guacamole...

via

Wouldn't it be nice?

listen to this

listen to this when you're in a dreamy sort of mood

Worse Than Buying Tampons

a short story


She wondered why only two pregnancy tests came in the box. Did these companies make them like that for the women who were excited and expecting to become pregnant? Surely, if you didn't plan on carrying a child, you'd want to check more than twice?

That's why she bought two boxes. This was way worse than buying your first box of tampons. The guy behind the counter at Target was judging her, she could see it all over his face. The way he looked her up and down, she could still feel the judgment even though her head was looking down at her phone. Scrolling through non-existent text messages from people who had no idea what she was doing. Friends who had no idea that she was at Target buying two boxes of pregnancy tests without them there to hold her hand.

"Your total is $15.32," the guy in the red polo and khakis said to her.

She fumbled around her purse, digging into the corners- she loved having exact change. Plus, getting tipped out as a hostess meant lots of one dollar bills; she hated looking like a stripper who had a good night. Or was that a good thing? Whatever.

via

As she handed over the cash and looked at the receipt, she thought again to herself, god, this really is worse than buying tampons. She wrapped the plastic bag tightly around the two boxes inside and held it beneath her armpit.

What was it about sunglasses that makes you feel invisible? Obviously, you're not. It just gives you that incognito feeling. The bigger, the better.

Ruffling of your hair might help, but probably not.

She got to her car and reached for the door- locked. Duh. She reached into her bag again looking for her bright orange keychain with car keys attached. Her reflection caught her attention in the tinted window, mostly the cleavage coming out of her American Apparel deep V. That cleavage wasn't there a month ago.

I'm definitely pregnant, she thought. Boobs this big don't just grow overnight for no reason.

via

Who am I kidding, she thought. I've always known that I was pregnant. Since the simple tasks of getting dressed for work would tire me out. Since sleeping all day became more appealing to me than going shopping. Since the taste of pasta would make me feel nauseous. Since the smell of the wine to accompany that pasta made me feel even worse. Since my face got fat. I've always known that I was pregnant.

I love starch

Crispy Potato Bowl

via 5 Second Rule

1 medium potato (I like Yukon Gold) diced

Olive oil

1 large egg

1 strip bacon, cooked until crisp

A few spoonfuls diced avocado (1/4 to 1/2 per person, depending on size -- of person and avocado)

Salsa, maybe 

Parboil the potato(es) until just tender. Drain. (I tend to do a few at a time, the night before. I drizzle them with olive oil and season them up with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.)

Come breakfast time, heat a generous glug of olive oil in a roomy saute pan (I use nonstick). When hot, add the cold diced potatoes and saute until crisp and browned. Check seasonings. Transfer to your favorite breakfast bowl. Add a bit more olive oil to the same pan and fry an egg to your liking. Set the egg atop the potatoes.

Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon and diced avocado. Serve with salsa, or don't.

I would add some red & green bell peppers, definitely salsa, sour cream on the side! Need to make this ASAP & put into one of these bowls:

via Anthropologie, $24

We both go together if one falls down

Don't you wanna drive up and down the coast after seeing these photos from
the element eden blog? I sure do.

the blind leading the blind

via

These past couple of weeks, I've had many of my friends tell me that they need my advice, they need someone to talk to, that their boyfriends' suck.

I've realized some things from their experiences & my own:

1. clichés are clichés for a reason. because they're usually right & true. 
2. if you think you deserve better, you probably do.
3. no, your boyfriend shouldn't have naked photos of his ex somewhere in his room.
4. yes, your boyfriend should tell you he loves you daily
5. your boyfriend/girlfriend should push you towards your goals & make you want to work harder for them. they should support you.
6. you cannot fully love someone until you truly love yourself. how can another person accept your flaws if you can't either?
7. you can't have the good days without some bad ones (and the bad ones shouldn't outweigh the good).
8. a person's friends can say a lot about them
9. you don't/won't know until you try.
10. you friends will always have your back

Happy Valentine's Day

via

Whether you're single, taken, in limbo, don't give a fuck, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Everybody deserves to be loved, so feel the love today, my sweets.

I thought I would share some tunes for your Valentine's Day/to listen to whenever that you can hear over on Spotify! (If you don't have this yet, get it! It's free!)

Modern Romance

1. Hysteric (acoustic)- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2. You're the One- The Black Keys

3. Sea of Love- Cat Power

4. Such Great Heights- Iron and Wine

5. Harvest Moon- Neil Young

6. Us- Regina Spektor

7. You Really Got a Hold On Me- She & Him

8. Two of Us- The Beatles

9. Janet- The Format

10. Do You Realize??- The Flaming Lips

11. Islands- The xx

12. Video Games- Lana Del Rey

13. Never Had Nobody Like You- M. Ward

14. Your the One I Want- Christ & Thomas

15. We Will Become Silhouettes- The Shins

16. Don't Worry Baby- The Beach Boys

17. Everlasting Light- The Black Keys

18. Home- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes

19. First Day of My Life- Bright Eyes 

via

good morning

When's the last time you stretched? I found this over on the blog for element eden and watched the entire thing. I used to do hot yoga kind of regularly a few months ago, but after I moved up North, I haven't really had the time (what I really mean is the money), nor found a place to go. But, this definitely inspires me to get my stretch on at home in the meantime.





My only question for her is: where did you find that cute lingerie that doesn't ride up into you and give you the wedgie of the year? If anyone knows where I could get those panties so I can start doing  yoga in them, that would be awesome.

let's talk about...

Blue Ivy Carter.

It's been a month since this little bundle of cuteness was brought into the world, and pictures have finally been revealed!

via

Look at all of that hair! And the very happy Mom&Dad. Can't wait to see this stunner grow up!

P.S. how cute was Beyonce's performance at the VMAs when she revealed she was pregnant?

A love letter

Did you watch Grey's Anatomy last night? It was Valentine's Day at Seattle Grace Hospital, and I thought the sweetest story was between the two 10-year-olds. Young love is the sweetest. 

via

Dear Clementine,


I'm really sorry you're sick, but I'm not sorry you're my girlfriend. It's the worst being alone on Valentine's day. But I'm thinking about you right now; I'm thinking about holding hands with you, and jumping on the trampoline together. I love you. 


And ps, I don't care who gave who lice, I'm just glad we both had it together.


Love, Nico

Thursday Drive

These past few nights I haven't been able to fall asleep until 2 or 3 am, and then find myself waking up at the very un-reasonable time of 7am. And again at 7:45.. and again at 8:30... So this morning when I woke up at 8:45, I decided I should just embrace (?) these extra couple hours to my day and do something.

the new issue of InStyle with some coffee

blueberry pancakes at Stacks in Burlingame

the drive back to school across the San Mateo bridge

bff shout out

Being a long-distance bff is rough. But Rachel and I got it handled. Go check it out on her blog here!

sometimes I really like what my horoscope has to say

compliments of iGoogle:
You know where you stand in the world today now that the Moon is in your 10th House of Public Responsibility. You have more confidence about what you're doing at work, but this doesn't mean you should hide any feelings of uncertainty. In fact, sharing your vulnerability now might open a doorway to a beautiful experience with someone very special. Don't let an opportunity get away from you; tell a friend or loved one how important he or she is to you when you have the chance.

Shout out to all my best girlfriends & family & boyfriend. You guys are amazing and keep me sane. I love you all so much, don't ever forget it!

via

prop. 8 declared unconstitutional (duh)!

via

live fast, die young, bad girls do it well

Let's party. Girlz rule, boyz drool.

inspiration mondays

I found this graphic somewhere on pinterest, and was immediately drawn to it. Yeah, yeah, stuff like this is posted everywhere- but for some reason last night, it really stuck with me. It made me realize all of the great things I have in my life by following the things on this list. And also that I wouldn't be where I'm at today without taking risks and going to this new place in northern California. Sometimes taking a step back and really looking at what is in front of you, you realize all of the goodness that is there. 

I pulled out a collage/paint/drawing book and some oil pastels & pencils and was up until 2 just letting some creativity flow out of me. It felt soo good. Today isn't any different; it feels good to be visiting this side of me again, it's been much too long. 

Stay curious, and remember that it's not always as bad as it seems. 

note to self 01

get an underwater camera for summer. 

Michelle Williams for GQ

What a stunner. Michelle Williams posing as Marilyn Monroe in this month's issue of GQ.

via 80's purple